A Houston man has been indicted on multiple charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors, according to a recent announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland. The indictment alleges that 32-year-old Dazhon Darien engaged in coercing and enticing minors and sexually exploiting a minor to produce child sexual abuse material.
Between July 2023 and July 2024, Darien is accused of using persuasion and coercion to involve a minor male in sexually explicit conduct for creating and circulating child sexual abuse material. He is also alleged to have enticed two other minors into illegal sexual activities and possessing such material in internet-based accounts and on a digital device.
Facing serious penalties if convicted, Darien could be sentenced to a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years for each count of sexual exploitation of a minor. The two counts of coercion and enticement of a child carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years up to life imprisonment. The indictment also includes charges for receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material, which could add additional years to Darien's potential prison time.
The U.S. Attorney's Office recognized the efforts of the Baltimore FBI Field Office and the Baltimore County Police Department in its investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine O. Goo and Paul E. Budlow are prosecuting the case. The Department of Justice encourages the public to visit its official website and resource pages to learn more about Project Safe Childhood and ways to ensure internet safety education.
